After 700MHz coup, Google now fronting white space devices

After influencing the outcome of the 700MHz spectrum auction in its (and …

Google famously bid on the 700MHz spectrum auction that wrapped up last week, but was outbid by Verizon. Most observers have characterized Google as an ecstatic loser, since the FCC's open access rules that it wanted so badly will have to be followed by Verizon. With the auction behind it, Google is turning its attention to another wireless broadband initiative, the push to open up the "white space" in the digital TV spectrum for web access. Today, the company ratcheted up the pressure on the FCC to act on the white space issue, submitting a letter to the Commission outlining its plans for the spectrum.

Google believes that the empty spaces in the television spectrum used by channels 2 through 51 should be made available once analog television transmissions end in February 2009. "TV white spaces can provide uniquely low-cost mobile broadband coverage for all Americans," wrote Google in its FCC ex parte filing (PDF). "In the context of TV white space, consumers will be able to enjoy robust access to the Internet, including the ability to download and utilize any lawful applications or content that is desired."

The search giant is even willing to throw its considerable financial and technical resources behind the effort. "Google also would be willing to provide, at no cost to third parties, the technical support necessary to make these plans happen," reads the filing. "This could include intellectual property and reference designs for underlying technologies, open geo-databases maintained by Google, and other supporting infrastructure."

Since its inception last year, the white spaces project has seen its fair share of controversy. Prototype devices submitted to the FCC have not performed as hoped, with some of the blame due to broken hardware. The FCC is currently testing prototype devices capable of sensing the presence of digital TV and other transmissions, including those of wireless microphones. Testing is scheduled to continue throughout this week.

This is what will happen to your digital TV picture
if white
space
broadband becomes a reality, according to the NAB

Broadcasters have seized upon every testing hiccup to argue that the white spaces should be left alone. The National Association of Broadcasters, in particular, is bitterly opposed to allowing unlicensed broadband service in the white spaces. Last month, the group said that the hardware problems experienced by the White Space Coalition's devices "vindicates beyond doubt the interference concerns expressed by broadcasters, sports leagues, wireless microphone companies, and theater operators."

Other groups weighing in on the issue include the National Football League, wireless microphone manufacturers, and even audio engineers. Audio equipment manufacturer Shure said that "important wireless microphone systems" would be at "severe risk of disruption" if the sub-700MHz spectrum is used for wireless broadband. The NFL is concerned that white space devices would cause "debilitating interference" with the microphones used by its referees.

Google believes those concerns are groundless, saying that there's no risk to broadcasters and those who use wireless microphones. "There are many ways to safely and reliably protect DTVs and wireless microphones, not all of which require spectrum sensing," argues the search giant. White space devices would rely on "all clear" signals from a database of licensed transmitters or a "geo-located device with access to that database." Devices without database or geo-location access would not transmit at all. The search giant also suggests the use of inexpensive "beacons" by wireless microphones to prevent interference. Channels 36-38 would be completely off-limits to white space broadband to prevent interference with radio astronomy services and medical telemetry devices that use spectrum assigned to channel 37.

"The future is now," Google concludes. "The value of the TV white space to all Americans simply is too great to allow this unique opportunity to be blocked by unfounded fear, uncertainty, and doubt."